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Hot Club of Philadelphia: Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams
ByLed by a master of the genre, guitarist Barry Wahrhaftig, this band pulls from many talented Philadelphia area musicians including Joe Ellis playing pleasing percussive guitar rhythms behind Wahrhaftig's blazing notes. Joe Arnold on violin and Bob Butryn on clarinet round out the gypsy style with Jim Stager's bass keeping time.
Wahrhaftig is a master at his craft. Playing on a reproduction of Django's Manouche guitar manufactured by English guitar maker Belleville, he glides seamlessly along the fret board making his playing seem effortless. Yet playing that many notes in a measure is anything but effortless; rather it is the mark of an experienced, well-practiced and well-studied musician who has a deep love for this music.
Highlights on this CD include Denise King's beautiful, clear voice on the standards "Someone To Watch Over Me," "Nature Boy," and the title song "Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams." The Reinhardt tune "Nuages" is passionately sung by Phyllis Chapell and the band faithfully waltzes through Reinhardt's "Chez Jacquet."
In a tribute to one of his guitar heroes,Wes Montgomery, Wahrhaftig ends the CD with a beautiful solo of the standard "While We Were Young." based on a Montgomery arrangement. It is a fitting ending to a highly listenable CD highlighting multiple talented musicians from the Philadelphia jazz scene.
Track Listing
Song d’Automne; Exactly Like You; La Gitane; Someone to Watch Over Me; Tchavolo Swing; Nuages; Nature Boy; You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To; Chez Jacquet; Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams; While We’re Young
Personnel
Hot Club of Philadelphia
band / ensemble / orchestraJoe Ellis, guitar; Bob Butryn, clarinet; Jim Stager, bass; Barry Wahrhaftig, guitar; Joe Arnold, violin; John Matulis, accordion, Howard Alden, guitar; Denise King, vocals; Alex Siniavski, guitar; Phyllis Chapell, vocals; Rick Yescalis, guitar; Carlos Rubio, flamenco guitar; Bob Butryn, flute; George Manney, conga; Stan Slotter, trumpet; Dave Cianci, trombone
Album information
Title: Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams | Year Released: 2014 | Record Label: Self Produced
Comments
About Hot Club of Philadelphia
Instrument: Band / ensemble / orchestra
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